On a June weekend in 1967, at the height of the Summer of Love, this festival ushered in a new era of rock and roll, and launched the careers of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Otis Redding, as well as showcasing veteran performers including Simon & Garfunkel, The Mamas & The Papas, The Who, and Ravi Sahnkar. Filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker captured it all. Extras include scrapbook, high-definition digital transfer supervised by Pennebaker, commentaries, video interview, original theatrical trailer, radio spots, and more.
This documentary film from director D.A. Pennebaker features live performances, behind-the-scenes and audience footage, and other selections from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, which was considered to be the forerunner to Woodstock. The concert was organized by Alan Pariser, an L.A. rock scenester; John Philips, singer for the Mamas and the Papas; and Lou Adler, a record producer; along with a board of musicians such as Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Donovan, Brian Wilson, and Smokey Robinson. Performers include Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Who, Jefferson Airplane, and The Byrds, among many others.
The Monterey International Pop Festival -- the first of the big rock festivals -- took place over three days, January 16 to January 18, 1967, and drew 50,000 people. Tickets for Monterey ranged in price from $3.50 to $6.
Performers who appeared at the festival (but not necessarily in the film): Big Brother and the Holding Company, Otis Redding, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Who, The Grateful Dead, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, The Association, The Electric Flag, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Canned Heat, The Blues Project, Laura Nyro, Hugh Masekela, Buffalo Springfield, Country Joe and the Fish, Booker T. and the MG's, The Mamas and the Papas, Quicksilver Messenger Serivce, The Mar-Keys, Lou Rawls, Eric Burdon & the Animals, and Ravi Shankar.
Filmed in 16mm.
Screened at the 1968 Venice Film Festival.
Distribution and production company: Leacock-Pennebaker, Inc.
Monkee member Mickey Dolenz and Mama Cass Elliot can be glimpsed in the audience during the climactic Ravi Shankar sitar number.
Tracks include:
"Ball and Chain"
"Wild Thing"
"California Dreamin'"
"Feelin' Groovy"
In August 2001, the film was rereleased in a new 35 mm print and received a theatrical run at The Screening Room in New York City.
Monterey Pop Reviews:
"[N]ot only the first major rock festival movie but one of the most memorable."
-- Mojo Staff, Mojo
Customer Monterey Pop Reviews Customer Monterey Pop DVD Reviews
Average Rating: (4.5 out of 5 stars)
Doesn't Get Any Better Than This! The roster on this DVD sounds like a who's who of the music world. To me the show stealer will always be Janis Joplin, but performances by the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane etc. are superb.
I know there is a longer version of this film available on DVD, but this one contains the essence of that unique festival. The filmaker also has given us enough shots of the crowd to reproduce the wonderful feeling of what it must have been like to be there.
Recommending this DVD is easy. The sound is very good and the production is just as it should be--not stylized but natural.
This is one of my favorite DVDs If you've had a hard day, there is nothing like watching Monterey Pop and listening to these (soon to become) musical giants. Your spirits will perk up in no time--guaranteed!
I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this DVD to any music lover and/or student of popular culture. Submitted by torgo7 (Vineland, NJ, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 4 of 4 found this helpful.
The New Age of Music Being Ushered in Hendrix and the Who is a must see,great performances by all. Submitted by waathome (Mobile, AL.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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Monterey Pop DVD
Monterey Pop DVD Features
Keep Case Full Frame - 1.33 Audio: DTS 5.1 - English
Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!
The New Age of Music Being Ushered in
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